Air operated pump
Summary by NHIP
Pinch Valve Air Pump
The air operated pump uses a control valve to alternately supply compressed air and exhaust to a venturi and two pneumatic pinch valves. This system pressurizes and vacuums a bladder situated between the inlet and outlet pinch valves within the pump chamber.
Claim Score by NHIP
Abstract
An elongate air operated pump includes a pump chamber, a bladder inside the pump chamber, inlet and outlet valves to and from the chamber and an air control system. The air control system includes a control valve alternately communicating compressed air and exhaust to atmosphere to a venturi with a first end, a second end and a throat port. The first end of the venturi receives continuous compressed air. The second end receives the alternately communication of compressed air and exhaust to atmosphere from the control valve. The throat port of the venturi is in continuous communication with the bladder to pressurize and draw a vacuum on the bladder. The valves may be pneumatic pinch valves controlled by the control valve to cycle with the bladder or passive one-way pump valves.

Term
10 yearsleft in the term
Expires 8 October 2036, including 618 days of term adjustment.
- Priority
- Filed
- Granted
- Today
- Expires
19 claims: 2 independent, 17 dependent
- 1An air operated pump, comprising:a source of compressed air;an exhaust to atmosphere;a first pump chamber including a first inlet and a first outlet;a first valve controlling the first inlet of the first pump chamber;a second valve displaced toward the first outlet from the first valve;a first bladder in the first pump chamber between the first valve and the second valve;a first venturi including an inlet end, an outlet end and a venturi throat port between the inlet end and the outlet end, the source of compressed air being in communication with the inlet end of the first venturi, the venturi throat port of the first venturi being in communication with the first bladder;a control valve in communication with the source of compressed air, the exhaust to atmosphere and the outlet end of the first venturi, the control valve including a first position communicating the exhaust to atmosphere with the outlet end of the first venturi and a second position communicating the source of compressed air with the outlet end of the first venturi, the first valve being a first pinch valve and the second valve being a second pinch valve, the venturi throat port of the first venturi being in communication with the first pinch valve, the control valve being in communication with the second pinch valve, the first position of the control valve further communicating the source of compressed air with the second pinch valve and the second position of the control valve further communicating the exhaust to atmosphere with the second pinch valve.
- 12Broadest claimClaim Score 41, average(NHIP)An air operated pump, comprising:a source of compressed air;an exhaust to atmosphere;a first pump chamber including a first inlet and a first outlet;a first pinch valve controlling the first inlet of the first pump chamber;a second valve displaced toward the first outlet from the first pinch valve;a first bladder in the first pump chamber between the first pinch valve and the second valve;a first venturi including an inlet end, an outlet end and a venturi throat port between the inlet end and the outlet end, the source of compressed air being in communication with the inlet end of the first venturi, the venturi throat port of the first venturi being in communication with the first bladder and with the first pinch valve;a control valve in communication with the source of compressed air, the exhaust to atmosphere and the outlet end of the first venturi, the control valve including a first position communicating the exhaust to atmosphere with the outlet end of the first venturi and a second position communicating the source of compressed air with the outlet end of the first venturi, the second valve being closed with the control valve in the first position and being open with the control valve in the second position.
Independent claims2
34 paragraphs in 5 sections, as filed
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/934,563, filed Jan. 31, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention is air operated pumps.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,399,168; 7,063,516; 6,435,845; 6,357,723; 6,257,845; 5,957,670; 5,169,296; 4,247,264 disclose air driven and air controlled pumps. Various one-way valves for pumped medium are disclosed in these patents. Actuator valves used in such pumps are also disclosed in the foregoing and are specifically addressed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,125,229; 6,102,363; 4,549,467. The air valves for these pumps operate using a pilot valve system that senses pump position and initiates shifting of the pump through a directional control valve. U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,122 discloses an air driven pump which is controlled by a solenoid that times shifts independently of the position of the pump in its cycle. U.S. Pat. No. 7,517,199 discloses an air driven pump which is controlled by an electronic controller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an air operated pump using compressed air to draw fluid medium through an pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The pump chamber includes a bladder and valves to either side of the bladder. A control valve provides communication to a venturi alternating between a source of compressed air and an exhaust to atmosphere. The venturi is in communication with the control valve, the source of compressed air and the bladder to both contract and expand the bladder using compressed air.
Various combinations of the following embodiments are contemplated. Such elongate chamber pumps may find specific utility in drawing pumped medium upwardly through limited access such as a small access port or ports. Albeit quite widely applicable, the pumps can find specific utility in pumping viscos materials hard to draw through a tube. They also find advantage under conditions where all air driven pumps offer reliability, safety and convenience. A principle object of the invention is to provide an elongate pumping mechanism. Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.
All variations of the preferred embodiments are driven through control valves that are the same. The pneumatic systems for the inlet chambers into the elongate pumps are also the same. Pneumatic valves and one-way valves are disclosed for use in the elongate pump chambers. The bladder may take on various configurations.
Of possible pneumatic valves, pinch valves are disclosed in the preferred embodiments. In this arrangement, the control valve is in communication with a pinch valve downstream of a bladder as well as the venturi; and the throat port of the venturi is both in communication with the bladder and a pinch valve upstream of the bladder. Further, the communication between the venturi throat port and the bladder may be restricted such that the operation of the bladder occurs more slowly than the operation of the upstream pinch valve to minimize flow back through the closing upstream pinch valve. The control valve alternates between the supply of compressed air and exhausting to atmosphere. A third position between these two extremes may be employed where all components are pressurized during the shifting of the control valve.
In a variation of the embodiments with pinch valves or one-way valves, the elongate pump chamber may be duplicated in series; and each successive chamber segment is driven at 180° out of phase with the prior chamber segment. Further, the pinch valves and bladders may be made of equal length such that a different effect is achieved as each of these elements then alternates in function between a pinch valve and a bladder as pressure and release alternate through the elongate pump chamber.
The same control valve may also drive more than one pump chamber. With two pump chambers, two venturi may be similarly coupled to the control valve, to the source of compressed air and to the bladders. The chambers may be arranged and controlled with the bladders alternating to provide a more continuous flow. In this instance, the coupling of the second chamber with the control valve is reversed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 5</figref> are schematic representations in sequential operation of an air operated pump.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a schematic representation of an air operated pump as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 5</figref> with two chambers in series, the dotted line indicating a continuation of the elongate pump chamber.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a schematic representation of an air operated pump as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> with one-way valves, the dotted line indicating a continuation of the elongate pump chamber.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref> are schematic representations of a second embodiment of an air operated pump illustrating two control valve positions and showing separate pump chambers with two different one-way valves.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a schematic representation of an air operated pump as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref> with air actuated pinch valves.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a schematic representation of an air operated pump as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8-9</figref> with a different pump chamber embodiment and bladder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Looking to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 5</figref>, a source of compressed air <b>10</b> is directed to a control valve <b>12</b>. The control valve <b>12</b> includes a housing <b>14</b> and a valve spool <b>16</b>. The housing <b>14</b> defines a valve cylinder <b>22</b> within which the valve spool <b>16</b> translates. There are two vents <b>18</b>, <b>20</b> from the cylinder <b>22</b> through a muffler. In various embodiments, the vents <b>18</b>, <b>20</b> may be separately directed to atmosphere or directed through a common passage. These configurations for the venting to atmosphere are collectively referred to as an exhaust to atmosphere. The valve spool <b>16</b> includes two outer lands <b>24</b>, <b>26</b> with seals around each, as shown in the Figures, to prevent unintended axial flow. The two outer lands <b>24</b>, <b>26</b> of the valve spool <b>16</b> control the vents <b>18</b>, <b>20</b>. Two valve ports <b>28</b>, <b>30</b> are in communication with the pump components and have an inlet port <b>31</b> from the source of compressed air <b>10</b> therebetween. A center land <b>32</b> on the valve spool <b>16</b> controls compressed air from the source of compressed air <b>10</b> for distribution to the valve ports <b>28</b>, <b>30</b>. The center land <b>32</b> also has seals therearound, as shown in the Figures, to prevent unintended axial flow. However, the center land <b>32</b> may be narrower than the inlet port <b>31</b> between the valve ports <b>28</b>, <b>30</b> such that the source of compressed air <b>10</b> is in communication with both of the valve ports <b>28</b> and <b>30</b> momentarily during shifting.
The pneumatic system for the elongate pump includes a venturi <b>34</b> having an inlet end <b>36</b>, an outlet end <b>38</b> and a venturi throat port <b>40</b>. The venturi <b>34</b> is in communication with the source of compressed air <b>10</b> at the inlet end <b>36</b> and in communication with the control valve <b>12</b> through the controlled valve port <b>28</b> at the outlet end <b>38</b>. The venturi <b>34</b> is in communication with an upstream pinch valve <b>42</b> and a bladder <b>44</b> of the pumping unit through the venturi throat port <b>40</b>. Finally, the control valve <b>12</b> is in communication with a downstream pinch valve <b>46</b> through the controlled valve port <b>30</b>.
The pumping unit includes an elongate pump chamber <b>48</b> with the upstream pinch valve <b>42</b>. The downstream pinch valve <b>46</b> is displaced from the upstream pinch valve <b>42</b> to provide a cavity therebetween for the bladder <b>44</b>. The valves <b>42</b> and <b>46</b> may also be air driven valves other than pinch valves to open and close the inlet and the outlet to the elongate pump chamber <b>48</b>. A restriction <b>50</b> is located in the communication between the venturi throat port <b>40</b> and the cavity defined by the bladder <b>44</b>. The bladder(s) <b>44</b> may take on any configuration to effect a variable volume within and allow flow through the chamber <b>48</b>. Compare the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> with the remaining figures. The bladder <b>44</b> provides a resilient, movable wall sealing the air side of the chamber <b>48</b> from the pump side of the chamber <b>48</b>.
A piston <b>52</b> attached at one end of the valve spool <b>16</b> moves the valve spool <b>16</b> in shifting from end to end of the valve <b>12</b>. An external air source <b>54</b> alternating between pressure and exhaust is in communication with a cavity <b>56</b> on one side of the piston <b>52</b> while a cavity <b>58</b> on the other side of the piston <b>52</b> is in communication with the source of compressed air <b>10</b>. The pressure area on the outer side of the piston <b>52</b> open to cavity <b>56</b> is larger than the annular pressure area on the inner side of the piston <b>52</b> open to cavity <b>58</b>. Therefore, with the far end of the valve spool <b>16</b> open to atmosphere, the pressure supplied by external air source <b>54</b> can be equal to the source of compressed air <b>10</b>. This pneumatic mechanism for driving the control valve may alternatively include a solenoid actuated valve spool <b>16</b> driven by a timer or controller.
Turning to the operation of the pump in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 5</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a first shifting of the spool <b>16</b> to open the valve port <b>28</b> to a vent <b>18</b> as seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. During this period of transition of the control valve <b>12</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, compressed air is in communication with both pinch valves <b>42</b>, <b>46</b> and the bladder <b>44</b> as the center land <b>32</b> is narrower than the inlet port <b>31</b>.
With the valve <b>12</b> fully shifted as seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the valve port <b>28</b> is in communication with the vent port <b>18</b>. As the venturi <b>34</b> has compressed air flowing from the source of compressed air <b>10</b> through the ends <b>36</b>, <b>38</b> and to atmosphere through the valve port <b>28</b> and the vent <b>18</b>, pressure is reduced at the venturi throat port <b>40</b>. This draws a vacuum on the upstream pinch valve <b>42</b> and the bladder <b>44</b>. The pinch valve <b>42</b> opens to allow fluid to flow into the pump through the inlet in the elongate pump chamber <b>48</b>. At the same time, the bladder <b>44</b> is contracted to draw fluid into the elongate pump chamber <b>48</b>. With the restriction <b>50</b> in the communication between the throat port <b>40</b> and the bladder <b>44</b>, the upstream pinch valve <b>42</b> is fully open before the contraction of the bladder <b>44</b> for expansion of the elongate pump chamber <b>48</b>. The source of compressed air <b>10</b> is directed through the valve port <b>30</b> to the pinch valve <b>46</b> such that it remains closed.
Once the bladder <b>44</b> has had time to contract, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the control valve <b>12</b> is shifted, passing through the intermediate position illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. The shifting of the spool <b>16</b> is caused by venting the external air source <b>54</b>. As can be seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> with movement of the spool <b>16</b> in the direction of the arrow, the vent <b>20</b> remains closed, the vent <b>18</b> has just closed and compressed air from the source of compressed air <b>10</b> is in communication with the venturi <b>36</b> at its end <b>38</b> and with the pinch valve <b>46</b>. The source of compressed air <b>10</b> is in communication with the end <b>38</b> of the venturi <b>36</b> and the pinch valve <b>46</b> because the center land <b>32</b> is narrower than the width of the inlet port <b>31</b>, as noted above. In this position with compressed air now routed to the end <b>38</b> of the venturi <b>34</b> and constantly supplied to the other end <b>36</b> of the venturi <b>34</b>, flow through the neck of the venturi <b>34</b> is reduced or eliminated. This allows compressed air to flow through the throat port <b>40</b> to pressurize the pinch valve <b>42</b>. Thus, the pinch valve <b>42</b> closes, the pinch valve <b>46</b> remains closed and the bladder <b>44</b> begins to inflate. With the control valve <b>12</b> in the position illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the filling of the pinch valve <b>42</b> momentarily leads the exhausting of the pinch valve <b>46</b>. The filling of the bladder <b>44</b> trails this closure of the pinch valve <b>42</b> because of the restriction <b>50</b> in the supply to the bladder <b>44</b>.
The control valve <b>12</b> is shown fully shifted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. In this position, compressed air from the source of compressed air <b>10</b> continues to flow through the throat port <b>40</b> to maintain the upstream pinch valve <b>42</b> closed. The bladder <b>44</b> expands. In fully shifting from the position in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the control valve <b>12</b> opens the valve port <b>30</b> to the vent <b>20</b> to allow the downstream pinch valve <b>46</b> to collapse to its relaxed, open state. With the pinch valve <b>46</b> open, fluid in the elongate pump chamber <b>48</b> is expelled. The external air source <b>54</b> is then cycled to provide air to the piston cavity <b>56</b> to again shift the control valve <b>12</b> in a second cycle.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates the valve mechanism of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 5</figref> with the elongate pump chamber <b>48</b> being subdivided in series. A venturi <b>34</b> is used for the entry bladder <b>44</b> and the inlet pinch valve <b>42</b>. The downstream pinch valve <b>46</b> is now located in the middle of the pump chamber <b>48</b>. A downstream bladder <b>62</b> and a further downstream pinch valve <b>64</b> are located at the outlet section of the pump chamber <b>48</b>. The inlet pinch valve <b>42</b>, the inlet bladder <b>44</b> and the downstream pinch valve <b>46</b>, now located at the inlet section of the pump chamber <b>48</b>, perform as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 5</figref>.
The downstream bladder <b>62</b> does not need to draw pumped fluid into the outlet section of the pump chamber <b>48</b> using reduced pressure generated by the venturi <b>34</b> under normal operating circumstances. Rather, the expansion of the inlet bladder <b>44</b> with the inlet pinch valve <b>42</b> closed and the downstream pinch valve <b>46</b> open forces the pumped fluid, which had previously been drawn into the inlet section of the pump chamber <b>48</b>, into the outlet section of the pump chamber <b>48</b>. The downstream bladder <b>62</b> is open to vent through the valve port <b>30</b> as the bladder <b>44</b> is pressurized through valve port <b>28</b> to provide room for the incoming pumped fluid to the outlet section.
As the pumped fluid is forced into the outlet section of the pump chamber <b>48</b>, the further downstream pinch valve <b>64</b> remains closed. Once the outlet section of the pump chamber <b>48</b> is charged, the valve spool <b>16</b> shifts to close the downstream pinch valve <b>46</b>, open the further downstream pinch valve <b>64</b> and pressurize the downstream bladder <b>62</b>. Pumped fluid flows from the pump chamber <b>48</b> as the downstream bladder <b>62</b> is pressurized. As noted above, the center land <b>32</b> is narrower than the inlet port <b>31</b> in the control valve <b>12</b>. Thus, all pinch valves <b>42</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>64</b> are closed by pressure for an instant during the shifting of the control valve <b>12</b>. This reduces backflow through the pump chamber <b>48</b> during shifting of the valve spool <b>16</b>.
The series can be repeated for more than two sections of the chamber <b>48</b> with each succeeding section in the series operating at 180° out of phase with the prior section. Only the inlet section employs the venturi <b>34</b>. Alternatively, the pinch valves and bladders may be made of equal length such that a different effect is achieved. When of equal length, each of these elements then alternates in function between a pinch valve and a bladder as pressure and vent to atmosphere alternate through the elongate pump chamber <b>48</b>. Only the second element from the inlet is preferably subject to vacuum to draw pumped fluid into the elongate pump chamber. Any four adjacent bladders in any length series of more than four bladders will have two operating as pinch valves and two operating as bladders. At the same time, one of the bladders acting as such expands in the elongate pump chamber to advance flow and the other acting as such retracts to receive flow. This operation then moves up one bladder unit at a time through the elongate pump chamber.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates the device of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> with passive one-way valves in the place of pinch valves illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-6</figref>. The control valve assembly and operation thereof for the bladders remains the same. Passive one-way valves <b>66</b> rely on initial closure bias forces or backflow for closure. This differs from active control employed in pinch valves and other pneumatically actuated valves. Pneumatic restrictions on flow to the bladder and an intermediate control valve position with pressure to all pneumatic elements are not of value with passive one-way valves.
A second embodiment of a pump is illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 through 11</figref> in that the same control valve operates two or more separate lines. In this embodiment, the operation of the control valve <b>12</b> may be identical to the first embodiment. There are multiple elongate pump chambers <b>68</b>, <b>70</b>. One-way flap valves <b>72</b> are illustrated in the elongate pump chamber <b>70</b> while one-way ball valves <b>74</b> are illustrated in the elongate pump chamber <b>68</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8, 9 and 11</figref>. The different valve devices are shown in one embodiment to illustrate different possible mechanisms. It is anticipated that identical valves will be employed in both chambers <b>68</b>, <b>70</b> in most such assemblies. Spring closures of the flaps <b>72</b> or balls <b>74</b> may be employed as needed. These one-way-valves <b>72</b>, <b>74</b> replace the pinch valves illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 5</figref> and do not require air control thereof in this embodiment.
Two venturi <b>76</b>, <b>78</b> are employed to actuate the two bladders <b>80</b>, <b>82</b>. The same principle of venturi operation controlling the bladder <b>44</b> in the first embodiment is now employed to both expand and contract each bladder <b>80</b>, <b>82</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref>. To obtain alternate action between the chambers <b>68</b>, <b>70</b>, one of the two venturi <b>76</b>, <b>78</b> is reversed in its attachment to the control valve <b>12</b>, i.e., being attached to valve port <b>30</b> rather than valve port <b>28</b>.
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the same pump configuration as <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref> with the exchange of pinch valves <b>84</b>, <b>86</b> in the place of the one-way valves <b>72</b>, <b>74</b> at the inlets and outlets of the two chambers <b>68</b>, <b>70</b>. The control valve <b>12</b> and its operation remain the same as in the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-5</figref>. The pneumatic system for the first chamber <b>68</b> is the same as described for the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-5</figref>, as is the coupling of that system with the control valve <b>12</b>. The pneumatic system for the second chamber <b>70</b> is also the same as described for the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-5</figref>, as is the coupling of that system with the control valve <b>12</b> except that coupling with the valve ports <b>28</b> and <b>30</b> is reversed. In this way, the pump chambers <b>68</b>, <b>70</b> operate 180° out of phase.
The bladders in each of these embodiments may be as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 10</figref> or configured as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. All reference numbers in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> reflect correspondence in function with elements so referenced in other figures. The bladder <b>88</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a flexible tube surrounded by pumped fluid. The bladder <b>88</b> is sealed at one end and anchored to an elongate pump chamber <b>68</b>, <b>70</b> at the other end about an air port in communication with a venturi throat port <b>40</b>. The downstream valve controlling the outlet of the elongate pump chamber <b>68</b>, <b>70</b> may be moved to the side for simplicity and convenience of fabrication, yet remaining at the upper end of the bladder <b>88</b> with all of the valves disclosed herein being applicable to this configuration as well.
The components and configurations of any of the embodiments in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 11</figref> may be substituted one for another if providing a similar function. For example, mixed use of one-way valves and pinch valves as well as exclusive use of either may be employed. Bladder configurations may be interchanged and air lines rerouted through the elongate pump chamber or chambers.
Thus, an air driven pump is disclosed which employs a bladder to propel fluid through an elongate chamber. While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein.
Contents5
12 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12
Every citation, both waysCites: the store holds 22 of 23
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11992464B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US11896798B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| USD1032520S | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| DE102006048454B3 | Cites | Germany | Search report |
| DE19736703A1 | Cites | Germany | Search report |
| US2007122291A1 | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US4158530A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US4247264A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US4549467A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5007803A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US5147182A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US5169296A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5378122A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5957670A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6102363A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6257845B1 | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6357723B2 | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6435845B1 | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US7063516B2 | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US7125229B2 | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US7399168B1 | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US7452166B2 | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US7517199B2 | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US8231310B2 | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US20070122291A1 | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| International Search Report dated Sep. 11, 2015, PCT/US15/13685—Jan. 30, 2015. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| International Search Report dated Sep. 11, 2015, PCT/US15/13685—Jan. 30, 2015. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
6 members in 3 offices
Priority claims6
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201461934563 | United States of America | P | |
| 201461934563 | United States of America | P | |
| 201514609236 | United States of America | A | |
| 61934563 | – | – | – |
| US201461934563P | – | – | – |
| US201514609236 | – | – | – |
Members6
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2015219089A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| WO2015116897A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| WO2015116897A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| EP3102825A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP3102825A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| US9976545B2This record | United States of America | B2 |
71 transactions on the USPTO file
Allowed after 1 non-final rejection.
- Non-final rejections
- 1
- Final rejections
- 0
- RCEs
- 0
- Appeals
- 0
Over time
Point at a mark for the transactionTransactions
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5 yr surcharge - late pmt w/in 6 mo, Large EntityM1555 | M1555 | |
| Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large EntityM1552 | M1552 | |
| Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large EntityM1551 | M1551 | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Change in Power of Attorney (May Include Associate POA)PA.. | PA.. | |
| Correspondence Address ChangeC.AD | C.AD | |
| Recordation of Patent Grant MailedPGM/ | PGM/ | |
| Patent Issue Date Used in PTA CalculationAllowedPTAC | PTAC | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Issue Notification MailedAllowedWPIR | WPIR | |
| Dispatch to FDCD1935 | D1935 | |
| Application Is Considered Ready for IssuePILS | PILS | |
| Issue Fee Payment VerifiedN084 | N084 | |
| Issue Fee Payment ReceivedIFEE | IFEE | |
| Electronic ReviewELC_RVW | ELC_RVW | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTF | EML_NTF | |
| Mail Notice of AllowanceAllowedMN/=. | MN/=. | |
| Notice of Allowance Data Verification CompletedAllowedN/=. | N/=. | |
| Reasons for AllowanceEX.R | EX.R | |
| Examiner's Amendment CommunicationEX.A | EX.A | |
| Incoming Letter Pertaining to the DrawingsLTDR | LTDR | |
| Date Forwarded to ExaminerFWDX | FWDX | |
| Response after Non-Final ActionA... | A... | |
| Electronic ReviewELC_RVW | ELC_RVW | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTF | EML_NTF | |
| Mail Non-Final RejectionNon-final rejectionMCTNF | MCTNF | |
| Non-Final RejectionNon-final rejectionCTNF | CTNF | |
| Information Disclosure Statement consideredIDSC | IDSC | |
| Information Disclosure Statement consideredIDSC | IDSC | |
| Information Disclosure Statement consideredIDSC | IDSC | |
| Date Forwarded to ExaminerFWDX | FWDX | |
| Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledM844 | M844 | |
| Response to Election / Restriction FiledELC. | ELC. | |
| Preliminary AmendmentA.PE | A.PE | |
| Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledWIDS | WIDS | |
| Electronic ReviewELC_RVW | ELC_RVW | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTF | EML_NTF | |
| Mail Restriction RequirementMCTRS | MCTRS | |
| Restriction/Election RequirementCTRS | CTRS | |
| Preliminary AmendmentA.PE | A.PE | |
| Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK | DOCK | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Change in Power of Attorney (May Include Associate POA)PA.. | PA.. | |
| Correspondence Address ChangeC.AD | C.AD | |
| Reference capture on IDSRCAP | RCAP | |
| Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledM844 | M844 | |
| Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledWIDS | WIDS | |
| Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK | DOCK | |
| Application ready for PDX access by participating foreign officesCCRDY | CCRDY | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| PG-Pub Issue NotificationPG-ISSUE | PG-ISSUE | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Filing Receipt - ReplacementFLRCPT.R | FLRCPT.R | |
| Change in Power of Attorney (May Include Associate POA)PA.. | PA.. | |
| Application Dispatched from OIPEOIPE | OIPE | |
| Sent to Classification ContractorPGPC | PGPC | |
| FITF set to YES - revise initial settingFTFS | FTFS | |
| Application Is Now CompleteCOMP | COMP | |
| Filing Receipt - UpdatedFLRCPT.U | FLRCPT.U | |
| Patent Term Adjustment - Ready for ExaminationPTA.RFE | PTA.RFE | |
| Additional Application Filing FeesADDFLFEE | ADDFLFEE | |
| Filing ReceiptFLRCPT.O | FLRCPT.O | |
| Notice Mailed--Application Incomplete--Filing Date AssignedINCD | INCD | |
| Cleared by OIPE CSRL194 | L194 | |
| IFW Scan & PACR Auto Security ReviewSCAN | SCAN | |
| Reference capture on IDSRCAP | RCAP | |
| Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledM844 | M844 | |
| Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledWIDS | WIDS | |
| Entity Status Set To Undiscounted (Initial Default Setting or Status Change)BIG. | BIG. | |
| Initial Exam Team nnIEXX | IEXX |
8 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee payment procedure7.5 YR SURCHARGE - LATE PMT W/IN 6 MO, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1555); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITYFEPP | FEPP | |
| Maintenance fee paymentMAFP | MAFP | |
| Maintenance fee paymentMAFP | MAFP | |
| AssignmentAS | AS | |
| AssignmentAS | AS | |
| Information on status: patent grantGrantedPATENTED CASESTCF | STCF | |
| AssignmentAS | AS | |
| AssignmentAS | AS |
Numbers
- Publication
- 09976545
- Publication, DOCDB
- 9976545
- Publication, EPODOC
- US9976545
- Application
- 14609236
- Application, DOCDB
- 201514609236
- Application, EPODOC
- US201514609236
Titles
- English
- Air operated pump
Patent term adjustment
- A delay
- +505 daysthe office missed an examination deadline
- B delay
- +113 dayspendency past three years
- Net adjustment
- 618 days
Classification
- CPC, 4
- F04B43/0733
- F04B15/02
- F04B43/0736
- F04B9/135
- IPC, 2
- F04B43 073
- F04B15 02
- USPC, 1
- 417137000